DAVID HEALY finally transferred his magic touch from the international stage to club football last night to grab a dramatic last-minute winner for Leeds.

The striker had been criticised for delivering when wearing a Northern Ireland shirt but going missing on his return to the domestic scene.

But five goals in two games for his country this week convinced boss Dennis Wise to recall him.

He repaid that faith by moving Leeds off the bottom of the table and keeping alive their hopes of avoiding the drop.

"I told David we weren't going to take him off until he scored because I fancied him to find the net," said Wise.

"He's very tired, but he will be happy. People expect too much of him because of what he's done for Northern Ireland. That is what happens when you score goals and perform at international level. Everyone expects you to do it week in, week out."

Healy was helped by hapless Preston left-back Pavel Pergl. The Czech defender had plenty of time to clear Eddie Lewis's cross but seemed unaware Healy was lurking behind him.

His attempted chest back to keeper Andy Lonergan dropped short, and Healy dashed in to nod home. It was a huge blow for promotion-chasing Preston, who had taken a fifth-minute lead when Danny Pugh laid a clever pass into the path of Brett Ormerod and the striker drilled an angled drive past Casper Ankergren.

It was revenge for Ormerod, who broke a leg in a tackle with Jonathon Douglas when these teams met in last season's play-offs.

He was certainly enjoying some extra charity from a Leeds back four that looked flat-footed when he made his darting runs forward. That was never more evident than in the 23rd minute when Chris Sedgwick lifted a ball over the home defence and Ormerod was on it in a flash, only this time the angle was too narrow and Ankergren blocked with his knees.

In between Ormerod's chances, Leeds played with more passion than skill, but still penned in Preston.

Robbie Blake's low drive skimmed a post and Liam Chilvers' positioning was spot on as he cleared just as Healy was eyeing the chance to head into an empty net.

Richard Cresswell was then guilty of nodding wide from eight yards out and Healy should have done better than fire a shot well wide when his smart run was picked out by Blake's low corner.

Leeds' shortcomings in front of goal were again on show when Matt Heath stabbed wide from close range.

Leeds were asleep at the restart with David Nugent allowed to control a punt into the box and feed substitute Patrick Agyemang before Lubomir Michalik produced a goal-saving tackle. United's persistence paid off on 51 minutes when Cresswell's cross ran the length of the six yard box and Blake levelled.

Preston had two chances to snatch a winner before Healy sent the Elland Road faithful delirious. Nugent ran clean through only to fluff his shot and ex-Leeds striker Michael Ricketts blazed horribly over from close range.